Michael, the youngest of four children, moved to small town Port Colborne at the age of six with his parents, as they embarked on a dream to own their own business. While working very hard to accomplish that goal, they taught their children what can materialise with honesty, integrity and hard work. It all started at the Dukes Hotel where folks gathered for good times, country music and a real “Cheers” environment, “where everyone knows your name.” In the mid 70’s, their focus changed to a new family business. A florist and gift shop opened with Michael’s mom, and two sisters running the show. 38 years later, the Smith family is still serving the small community.

Michael worked alongside the family at any job he was asked to do, but started his own journey in his early teens by starting his chef training and reaching top status by the age of 20. Initially training under one of the finest chefs in the Niagara region, Emil Rinderlin, at his restaurant in Welland and then spreading his wings to Bermuda and then Toronto.

Michael and his wife at the young age of 23 returned to Port Colborne to become a respected member of the community in opening a casual dining restaurant, The Home of 2 Chefs, and for the following 7 years they acquired regional attention as one of the top dining choices, with the arrival of their 2nd child it was time to step away to focus on family and Michael joined a local holiday resort where he quickly became immersed in the world of sales. During this time, Michael assisted over 700 families buy and sell their dream summer homes. During these years Michael was also fortunate to receive world class sales training from an international company also responsible for sales training for clients such as Disney and Saturn Car company. After 14 years of success at the local holiday resort Michael was awarded the opportunity of a lifetime to work and live abroad in the U.K. where Michael was tasked the opportunity to manage a 6000 guest resort, assisting in sales and service training.

Michael returned home choosing to continue in the field of sales that he loved so much and pursued a career with Royal LePage Niagara Real Estate Centre, and in his opinion, Niagara’s strongest Real Estate brand, to share his talents with. In Michael’s first year of Real Estate sales (2007) he assisted over 40 families or 5 times as many sales transactions as is expected of a first year realtor. He was awarded top rookie, ranked himself month after month in the top ten of his co Royal LePage agents and also achieved the President’s Gold Award ranking him in the top 10% of his industry. Year two and three & four, during our economic downturn, Michael continued to see growth and has consistently earned the ranking of Directors Platinum Award ranking him in the top 5% of his industry. Finally in 2012 achieving Diamond Award status (top 3%) in addition to be ranked in the top 10 performers of the brokerage of Niagara amongst over 400 agents!

In 2015 Michael became a team with the addition of his Daughter Carlie to compliment his already award winning service… In the years to follow they grew there business and client base ranking consistently in the top 10 teams of Niagara and in 2019 they were recognized in the pinnacle of their time together achieving Red Diamond status ranking them in the top 2% of the industry with award winning service. After 5 successful years of mentorship his Daughter has now spread her wings to establish her own brand and 2020 Michael is excited to establish a new team consisting of Margaret Ann Giganti a seasoned veteran and long time co agent of Michael and also new to the industry but full of enthusiasm and professional work ethic, Conrad Davies has also joined the Hometown team.

In addition to Michaels passion for assisting families with their biggest investment of their life in acquiring their first home or assisting a senior in the next phase of their lives as they leave the housing market Michael has also had the opportunity to purchase in excess of 20 investment properties over the last decade accommodating dozens of rental units. Through his personal experience via purchasing, renovating, maintenance and dealing with landlord/tenant regulations, it has provided him with a wealth of knowledge which he is always excited to share with clients seeking to enter the investment property business.